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From owner-tesla@ssz.com Wed Feb 4 13:00:02 1998 From: Jim Choate <ravage@ssz.com> Message-Id: <199802041857.MAA05778@einstein.ssz.com> Subject: Fountain of youth found? [SciAm] To: tesla@ssz.com (Experimental Instrumentation) Date: Wed, 4 Feb 1998 12:57:23 -0600 (CST) X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL23] Content-Type: text Content-Length: 2511 Sender: owner-tesla@ssz.com Precedence: bulk Reply-To: tesla@ssz.com
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X-within-URL: http://www.sciam.com/explorations/1998/020298telomere/
Telomere Image: Southwestern Medical Center
LIFE'S CLOCK. Telomeres are repeating DNA strings (TTAGGG) that cap chromosomes. Each time a mortal cell divides, its telomeres become shorter. When they reach a preset length, the cell ceases to divide, ages and dies.
Scientists have found a major factor that controls whether a cell dies or thrives
It may not sound as appetizing as aquavit, but telomerase--an enzyme discovered only a decade ago in a single-celled protozoan--may well be the elixir of youth. This chemical acts in immortal cancer cells, sperm and ovum to repair telomeres, the strands of DNA that tie up the ends of chromosomes. And now it seems that activating telomerase in sundry other cells grants them a longer lease on life as well.
The finding, which was published in the January 16 issue of Science, finally proves what was a highly controversial model linking telomeres to cellular aging. More important, it opens up new avenues for research into diseases that occur when cells grow old, including macular degeneration in the eye and atherosclerosis, and those that arise when cells don't age at all, such as cancer.
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